Auxiliary Verbs
The verb which helps the main verb to do any action is known as Auxiliary verb.
As: am, is, are etc.
1. Principal Auxiliary
2. Modal Auxiliary
Principal Auxiliaries are as follows:
(a). To be : am, is, are, was, were. = 05
(b). To have: Have, has, had. =03
(c). To do: do, does, did. =03
Can, could, may, might, must, had to, ought to, shall, should, will and would. = 10
Semi Modals:
Need, dare, used to. =03
NB. Modal auxiliary has no –‘s’ form or –‘ed’ or – ‘ing’ forms. It means when a modal auxiliary contains with subject then it has only original principal form.
Uses of Modal Auxiliary:
Uses of ‘Can’:
1. To be able to: She is so tall, she can touch the celling. I can’t remember where I put it.
2. Used in spoken when asking some one to do something or give you something: Can I have a pen, please? Can you help me, list this box?
3. Especially in spoken to have permission to do something or to be allowed to do something: You can’t play football here. Can we go home now, please? No you can’t.
4. To have a particular skill or know how to do particular activity: Maliha can speak French, Russian and Italian.
5. Used to show what is possible or likely: As: I’m confident that a solution can be found.
6. Used with verbs connected with the five senses and with verbs connected with thinking: As: I can hear you easily from here.
7. Usually in questions and negatives: It is a very lookative offer, but I really can’t accept it.
8. To have to do something must: If you won’t keep quit you can get out.
9. Used especially in expressions or surprise: What can it possibly be? (You can’t be serious).
10. Used to show what is sometimes happened or how someone sometimes behaves: As: It can be quite cold here at night.
Uses of ‘Could’:
1. As past tense of can: As: I couldn’t get tickets.
2. Used to ask if someone is able or allowed to do something: As: Could I ask you a couple of questions?
3. Used to express something that might be possible or might happen, when it is not certain that it will happen or be possible: As: It could be weeks before the construction is actually finished.
4. Used to be polite when you asking someone to do something: As: Could you pay this check into the bank for me tomorrow?
5. Used to suggest what you think someone should do or might be able to do: As: We could get the bus instead. You could always try phoning her at the office.
6. Used to show that persons are annoyed about something: I’m sure Sheela could be more careful when she is washing up my clothes.
7. Used when you are not at all interested in or concerned about something: I said I couldn’t careless if I got paid triple time, I’m not coming.
8. Used when you completely agree with someone: As: I couldn’t agree more.
9. Used to emphasize that you were very angry with someone: As: I could have murdered Rahim for telling Mina that!
10. Used to emphasize how good, exciting etc. something is: As: It couldn’t have been a more restful vacation.
11. Used to politely say that you do not want any food or drink: Would you like another piece of meat? Oh, no thanks, I couldn’t.
Use of ‘May’:
1. For possibility (80%): As: I may be late so start without me. You may have married by then. The sky is densely clouded, it may rain now.
2. To have or get permission: May I come in, sir? The work is over, you may go now.
3. Formal used to say that you hope that a particular thing will happen for someone: May both bride and groom have a happy life.
4. Used to say that although one thing is true, something else which seems very different is also true: As: You may think you are smart, but you don’t understand this kind of work at all.
5. In spoken used to say that you will do something that you don’t really want to do, because you can not think of anything better: As: I may as well as go out to night.
6. For purpose in formal use like can other, so that, to say that someone does something in order to make something else possible: He gave up his life that we may all live in a free and fair world.
7. Possible to do something: The problem may be solved in a number of ways but there is only one correct answer.
1. Used as the Past tense of ‘May’: Think, it might rain.
2. For possibility (30%) that t may happen or to be true but you are uncertain: Bangladesh
3. Used to give advice or make a suggestion: If the police can’t help you might try the Citizens Advice Bureau.
4. a. Spoken Old fashion used to ask politely if you can do something: Might I come in? b. Spoken used to polite give more information, ask a question , interrupt etc. As: Might I just add that Mina has been a pleasure to work with and we wish her every success in future.
5. Used when you are angry or surprised when someone has not done something that you think they should do: You might have cleaned up before you left!
6. Used to say that you are not surprised at a station: Zahingr; I might have known you’d be behind all this!
7. Usually spoken used to suggest doing something that you do not really want to do, because you have no better ideas: As: It’s no good waiting for the bus. We might as well walk.
8. Used to tell someone that although what they said is true, something else which seemed very different is also a fact: As: You might be a strong swimmer but that doesn’t mean you can win a triathlon.
9. Formal used to say why something happens or the reason why someone does something: As: Ibrahim left his children a letter, so that his family might understand why he had to go away.
10. Old-fashioned humorous used to politely ask for information: As: And who might you be, young man?
Use of ‘Must’:1. To have to do something because the situation forces you, because of a rule or law, or because you feel you should: As: All passengers must were seatbelt. You must not tell anyone about this.
2. Used when you are guessing that some thing s true or that something has happened because there seems to be no other possibility: As: Farhad must be nearly 50 years old.
3. Used to suggest that someone does something, especially because you think they will enjoy it very much or you think it is very good idea: As: You must go and see new Rahim-Rupvan movie.
4. Used when you want to do something and hope to do it soon. As: We must come over and try out that new barbecue of yours.
5. Used to tell something that they are allowed to do something but that you do not approve or agree with it: As: Can I borrow your car, papa? Yes you must.
6. Used when you think someone’s suggestion is silly or stupid: As: 2000000Tk for that old car? You must be joking!
Use of ‘Had to’:Used as past form of have to as must: As: I had to go there yesterday.
Use of ‘Ought to’:1. Used to say that someone should do some thing because it is the best or most sensible thing to do: As: I think you ought to make time for your self to relax.
2. Used to say that someone should do something because it is right: As: You ought to be ashamed yourself.
3. Used to say that you think something will probably happen, probably be true etc.: As: This ought to be good. You ought to be a good student.
Use of ‘Shall’:1. Used to express what you will do in the future: As: I shall leave finished it by Monday.
2. Used to make a suggestion or ask a question that you want the other person to decide about: Shall I open the door? What shall I get for dinner?
3. Used to describe what will happen to someone, especially when you are saying that it is very definite: They shall be judged only by Allah.(formal/old-fashioned).
4. Used when you do not know what will happen in the future or, when you do not want to give someone a definite answer: What shall wait for me next?
5. Formal used in official documents to show a law, command, promise etc. As: All payments shall be made by the end of the month.
Use of ‘Should’:
1. Used to show that something is the best thing to do because it is morally right, fair, honest etc. as: He should learn to be more polite.
2. Used to show that something is the best thing to do because it helps you, s good for you etc: As: The leaflet tells you what you should do if the power fails.
3. Used to show what the correct or expected amount, situation etc is especially when it is not correct or not what is expected: As: Eat noodles the way they should be eaten with chopsticks.
4. Used to say that something will probably be good, bad, interesting etc: As: It should be a good movie.
5. Used after that in some expressions showing an opinion or feeling: It’s odd that he should react in this way.
6.To ask to know information about own-self from other: As: Should any one phone , tell them I’m in conference.
7. Formal especially used after I / we in Br. E in conditional sentence: As: I should stay in the bed if I were you.
8. Formal especially in Br.E used after if to emphasize that something might or might not happen: If the wound should become inflamed, do not hesitate to call me.
9. Used in reported speech to mean ‘shall’: As: I promised I should be back by midnight .
10. Used when someone was surprised when something happen or a particular person appeared etc. As: Just at that moment who should walk in but old Jim himself.
11. Used to mean the opposite of what you seem to be saying: As: With all his money, he should worry about giving the waiter a trip.
12. Used as polite or joking way of showing that you disagree with what someone has said: Why isn’t it working? I should have thought that was obvious.
13. Used to say politely that you want something: will you require anything else? Yes, I should like a dry martini.
14. Used to say what you believed or expect to be true: As: I shouldn’t think there’ll be a problem parking at that time of night.
15. Used for 'strongly agree' with what someone has said: I should think not, with so much work to do.
Use of ‘Will’:
1. Used to express the simple future tense: He will go market.
2. Used to show that you are willing or ready to do something: As: I will come up and help you.
3. Used to ask someone to do something: As: Will you phone me latter on?
4. Used to say what always happens in a particular situation or what is generally true: Oil will floats on water.
5. Used like ‘can’ to show what is possible: This car will hold five people comfortably.
6. Used like ‘must to show what you think is likely to be true: That will be Mina coming home now.
7. Used to order or tell someone /angrily to do something: As: Will you two shut up for God’s shake?
8. Used to offer something to someone or to invite them to do something: Will you be staying the night?
9. Used to describe someone’s habit s especially when you find them strange or annoying: Salma will keep asking damn silly questions.
10. Used during a wedding ceremony to show that you agree formally to marry. As: I will agree to marry her him.
Use of ‘Would’:1. Used in stead of ‘will to describe what someone said, asked etc. As: They said they would meet us at 10:30 at the station.
2. Used instead of ‘will’ with past tense verb or to show what is likely or possible: What would you do if you won a million pounds?
3. Used to describe what someone used to do a lot or what used to happen a lot : As: When we, taught in the same school, we would often have coffee together.
4. Used to show disapproval when talking about someone’s annoying habits or behaviour: You would go and spoil it, wouldn’t you!
5. Used to say that you would prefer to do or have one thing rather than other thing: As: Which would you rather do, go to the cinema or go for a meal?
6. Used to express a polite request: As: Would you shut the window please?
7. Used to express a polite offer or invitation: As: Would you like to have a meal with us next evening?
8. Used to tell someone what you think they should do in a particular situation: As: I would ring Rafique and explain that you can’t see him tomorrow.
9. Used before verbs that express what you think, feel, or suppose, to make your opinion or feeling less definite: As: I would imagine that the kids will stay with their grandparents.
10. Used to express a strong wish or desire: Would that we had seen her before she died.
Use of ‘Need’:1. To feel that must have something or must do something, require, need something: As: I don’t need your approval.
2. To have to do something because you feel you should do it or because you think it is necessary: As: You need to work harder if you’re going to pass those exams.
3. If something needs cleaning or needs to be cleaned, someone should clean it because it is dirty: As: The children need collecting at 4 o’clock .
4. If a job or an activity needs a particular quality, you need to have that quality in order to do it well. As: A job like nursing needs patience and understanding.
5. Used when you think that people should already know what you are going to say: As: I need hardly remind you that people will judge the school by the way you behave.
6. Used to say that someone already knows what they are asking about: As: Who did it? Need you ask?
7. Used to say you are not interested in something: To hell with enlightenment, who need it?
Use of ‘Dare’:1. Do something dangerous: As: Would you dare to do a parachute jump? The world is for those who are dare.
2. Do something rude, shocking etc: As: Tell her what I really think? I wouldn’t dare!
3. To show that you are very angry and shocked about what someone has done or said: As: How dare you accuse me of lying!
4. Used to warm someone not to do something because it makes you angry: As: Don’t dare talk to me like that.
5. To persuade somebody to do something: As: Ask for her cell-phone number, I dare you!
6. Used when adding information that you think people may not accept or believe: I found him intelligent, observant and dare I say it, a sparkling wit!
7. Used when saying or agreeing that something may perhaps be true: I dare say things will improve.
Use of ‘Used to’:Used as past habit: As: He used to walk by the side of river. My mother used to read the Holly Quran.
From :
Md. Moheb Ullah
MA in English , M.Ed. with Thesis
English Teacher
Banglabazar Govt. Girls' High School
mhb.mian@gmail.com
From :
Md. Moheb Ullah
MA in English , M.Ed. with Thesis
English Teacher
Banglabazar Govt. Girls' High School
mhb.mian@gmail.com
Comments